Water Meter and Sewer Taps

How to Apply for Service

Application and payment for water and/or sanitary sewer service(s) must be made by the property owner, with the Special Services section of the Administration Division. You may contact the office at +1 (803) 545-3400 to confirm the availability of water and sewer prior to application, and to confirm water meter and sewer tap fees. You may also email us at EngSpecialServices@columbiasc.gov for all inquiries and requests.

The property owner must contact the Planning Department prior to coming in person to the 7th floor of 1136 Washington St.

The owner will be asked to:

Submit a copy of the recorded deed and plat to the Planning Department.

Complete a petition for annexation with the City’s Planning Department. Visit the Planning Department’s Annexation Page for more information. You can also contact the Planning Department staff at +1 (803) 545-3222 if you have any questions about petitioning to be annexed.

Once the petition for annexation is applied for, fill out the New Water and/or Sewer Service Agreement (Sample Agreement).

3/4″ – 42″ Main Line TapThis is considered an excavation in a city or state right-of-way to provide a new service to a property and may require special permits. The Water Division estimates 6-8 weeks for this type of installation after application for service has been made.

This is considered as a service line connection with meter box visible and prepared for meter installation. The Water Division recommends 21 workdays for this type of installation after application for service is made.

Procedure:

Review property.

Schedule work crews.

Owner locate tap/meter box.

Install meter.

When installing meters, which have stub-outs/taps, it is crucial that developers, owners, contractors, etc. locate the stub-outs/taps (meter box). When existing stub-outs/taps are not visible, it may be necessary to pay an additional fee for a stub-out/tap to be made. This also may require an encroachment permit and take approximately 6-8 weeks.

Permit A permit is an authorization to work on state or local right-of-way for excavation purposes. Permits from state and county generally require 2-4 weeks for processing.

Stub-out A water service that has been previously installed at the property line, consisting of a valve in a meter box.

Main Line Tap A connection to an existing water main that requires excavation in the road right-of-way or possibly boring under or digging across a roadway.

Locate State law requires all excavators/operators to call SC811 72 hours before any excavation. This notifies all utility companies of the intent to dig in case they have underground lines in the area, such as telephone, electric, gas, etc.